Kauto back in action on Sat.
Kauto Star 2-5 for
Betfair Chase treble
Kauto Star (see home page)
THEY were separated by just half a length 12 months ago, but bookmakers believe Kauto Star and Exotic Dancer will be oceans apart in Saturday's Betfair Chase, for which the former Cheltenham Gold Cup hero was on Monday installed a scorching 2-5 favourite.
No more than five horses are expected to go up against one of the sport's great chasers in the Haydock highlight, in which Exotic Dancer - quoted at 3-1 by Coral and 4-1 by Cashmans - will be seeking to inflict defeat on his nemesis for the first time after seven unsuccessful attempts.
However, while Exotic Dancer's connections yesterday committed themselves to another assault on Kauto Star, the race's 2006 and 2007 winner was on Monday reported in great order by trainer Paul Nicholls, whose number-two rider Sam Thomas rides the jumping millionaire - as he did in last year's race - following Ruby Walsh's weekend injury blow.
Thomas - whose mount sauntered to victory on his reappearance at Down Royal - told At The Races: "I'm obviously looking forward to Kauto Star this weekend. He was very impressive at Down Royal. He did everything that was asked of him and he jumped very well, as the ground would have been a bit too soft for him."
Unconcerned about the enforced jockey change is Kauto Star's owner Clive Smith, who said: "I would rather Ruby was on board, but Sam rode him exceptionally well in the race last year. I think he pointed out a different way of riding him and he did something different that the horse liked."
Victor Chandler Chase winner Tamarinbleu, Ollie Magern, Order of Merit leader Snoopy Loopy and Cloudy Lane are likely to complete the potential line-up with Kauto Star's stablemate Gungadu more likely to tackle Sunday's Totesport Becher Chase.
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